The tourist and transport center of the Galapagos Archipelago is the city of Puerto Ayora. It is from it that all kinds of tours, cruises and excursions to the islands begin. The city is located on the southern coast of the island of Santa Cruz and is the center of the eponymous canton. Puerto Ayora is the largest population center of the Galapagos Islands with a population of about 12,000 people. Named after Isidro Ayora, President of Ecuador in 1926-1930.
History of Puerto Ayora
In 1905, a shipwreck took place off the southern shores of the island of Santa Cruz . The rescued sailors landed on the shore in the area of the future of Puerto Ayora, the Galapagos proved to be a favorable place for survival. But the date of the founding of the city is 1926, the time of arrival on the island of a group of Norwegians. The purpose of their expedition was to search for gold and diamonds, in addition, they promised to build roads, schools and a port in the village. Their search was in vain, and a few years later the ship and all the property of the Europeans were confiscated in favor of Ecuador for failing to fulfill their obligations.
After the establishment of the National Park in 1936 on the territory of the Galapagos Archipelago and the founding of Puerto Ayora, Ecuador felt an outflow of people from the mainland. The islands are gaining popularity. In 1964, Charles Darwin Research Station was opened in Puerto Ayora, whose activities are aimed at preserving the unique ecosystem of the reserve. Until 2012, the station lived the most famous bachelor of the world - the last of the representatives of the genus of giant turtles named Lonely George. All attempts to obtain offspring failed, therefore the genus is considered extinct. Today, anyone can visit the open-air cemetery of Old George, which has a memorial plaque.
Puerto Ayora - the center of the tourism industry of the archipelago
The center of the city is the area of the port embankment, where the entire tourist industry is concentrated: hotels, restaurants and agencies that conduct excursions. The developed infrastructure and the availability of free wi-fi turned the port into a favorite vacation spot, both tourists and citizens. Do not forget to visit the art gallery of Aymara, which exhibits items of Latin American art. Puerto Ayora offers a huge number of hotels for every taste and purse, some of the most popular - Angermeyer Waterfront Inn 5 *, Finch Bay Hotel 4 *, Hostal Estrella del Mar. Prices in Puerto Ayora are higher than in other cities of the Galapagos province.
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What to see in Puerto Ayora?
Be sure to visit Tortuga Bay - the famous beach with a delightful white sand and a complete lack of civilization, a paradise on the ocean. The beach is at a distance of 2.5 km from Puerto Ayora, it can be reached on foot along a stone path, or by boat taxi for $ 10. The beach was chosen by sea iguanas, absolutely not dangerous and friendly creatures. There are a lot of bright red crabs on the stones. In the city there are other beaches - Alemanes, Estación and Garrapatero .
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Be sure to visit the local fish market, whose regular visitors are sea lions and pelicans. Animals on the islands are spoiled and instead of fishing independently, they come to the market for it. Pelicans are more active and fighting for every trophy, and imposing sea lions beg for food from sellers, or take prey from pelicans. A spectacular sight that you will only see in Puerto Ayora!
In the vicinity of Puerto Ayora is Las Grithas, one of the most beautiful grottoes on Earth, with crystal clear, mixed fresh and salt water. It is worth to visit the lava tunnels and twin craters Los Gemelos, the tortoise El Chato nursery, in which the turtles are placed not in open-air cages, but in a natural environment.
How to get there?
There is no airport in the city itself, the nearest Seymour airport is on Balti Island. With Puerto Ayora, it is connected by a 50-km highway. Regular flights to the Galapagos are carried out from Guayaquil .
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